Journal of Research in Dental and Maxillofacial Sciences
Volume:6 Issue: 1, Winter 2021

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a comparatively novel therapeutic method involving a safe light source and a light-sensitive substance, termed as photosensitizers (PSs), such as methylene blue (MB), toluidine blue (TBO), sulfonated aluminum phthalocyanine, chlorine derivatives, nontoxic indocyanine green (ICG), and curcumin (CUR). (1) The combination of a nontoxic PS with low-intensity visible light in the presence of oxygen develops reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are toxic and can cause oxidative damage to microorganisms and tumor cells. (2-4) PSs do not induce cytotoxicity but are activated by laser irradiation at a proper wavelength and develop ROS. (5,6)

Shade guide discoloration after disinfection can interfere with the appropriate color selection for dental restorations. Since one of the most important issues for patients is the color of the final restoration, the discoloration of shade guides due to disinfectants will be important. Infection control is a definite and important matter in dentistry. Due to the contradictory results of studies on the effect of disinfectants on shade guide discoloration, this study aimed to examine the discoloration of the Vita classical shade guide by glutaraldehyde disinfectant. 

In this experimental study, samples of A4, B4, C4, and D4 colors were selected from the Vitapan classical shade guide, 10 pieces each (40 samples in total). Three samples of each color were immersed in distilled water as a control while the other seven were immersed in a 2% glutaraldehyde disinfectant solution. The shade pilot spectrophotometer was used for colorimetry, which was performed at baseline and 24, 48, and 72 hours after the immersion. The color of the samples was evaluated based on the CIE Lab system. The data were analyzed with two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukeychr('39')s test.

The rate of color change (ΔE) of the samples was higher in the glutaraldehyde group than in distilled water (P<0.05). In addition, color change in both groups showed a significant difference at different times (P<0.05).

The Vitapan classical color samples discolor by immersion in 2% glutaraldehyde disinfectant after 24, 48, and 72 hours, but this color change is not clinically detectable (ΔE<1).

Hearing impairment is a leading challenge in the education of deaf children. Compared to normal children, hearing-impaired (HI) children have poor oral health due to a lack of communication skills and effective health educations. This leads us to search for a proper method to educate these children. The present study aimed to assess the effect of different educational methods on the oral health of 7-13-year-old HI children in Tehran.

In this clinical trial, 76 HI children, aged 7 to 13 years, were selected from elementary schools of deaf children in Tehran according to the entry criteria. They were examined, and the baseline plaque and gingival scores were recorded using the Silness and Loe plaque index (PI) and the Loe and Silness gingival index (GI). The children were randomly divided into two groups; one group was educated using a dental model, and the other group watched a guided training video. Oral health education was reinforced two weeks later. Reexamination was carried out 4 months later. Data were statistically analyzed using t-test with SPSS version 20.0. 

There was a significant reduction in plaque and gingival scores in both groups after health education (P<0.05). The highest reduction in plaque and gingival scores was seen in the dental model group.

In a comparison between the two educational methods (dental model and video), training using a dental model is more efficacious in improving the oral health of HI children. Continuous school-based oral health education programs for HI children need to be considered.

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic mucocutaneous disease, which is considered a precancerous condition. OLP is a multifactorial disease with no conclusive treatment. Timely diagnosis and treatment of oral lesions are necessary steps to prevent malignant transformations and severe complications of oral cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency and severity of malignant transformations in OLP.

In this study, 2400 files of patients who presented to the Oral Medicine Department of the Dental School of Semnan University of Medical Sciences from 2013 to 2018 were evaluated. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS.

Forty patients (9 males and 31 females with the mean age of 45.2 years) were diagnosed with OLP (1.6%). The most common type of OLP was reticular (75%), and the least common was the ulcerative type. Since toluidine blue staining was positive for 4 patients (10%), a biopsy was done. The histopathological examinations showed one case with dysplasia (2.5%) and one case of carcinoma (2.5%).

According to the results, carcinoma and dysplasia can develop in OLP patients. Regular follow-ups are strongly recommended for timely diagnosis and treatment of malignant transformations.

Orthodontic patients are at an increased risk of caries due to difficulty in plaque control. Antimicrobial agents, such as fluoride and chlorhexidine, can be useful in preventing tooth demineralization. The present study aimed to determine the effect of fluoride and chlorhexidine gels and their mixture on the shear bond strength (SBS) of orthodontic brackets.

In this ex-vivo study, 70 premolars were divided into seven groups. The first group was considered as the control. The second, third, and fourth groups were first etched with 37% phosphoric acid and then pretreated with chlorhexidine, fluoride, and fluoride-chlorhexidine gels, respectively. The brackets were then bonded. In the fifth, sixth, and seventh groups, the enamel surface was etched after pretreatment, and then, the brackets were bonded. After mounting the teeth, SBS was measured using the Instron machine. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tamhanechr('39')s T2 test (α≤0.05).

The mean SBS was 19.7 MPa in the control, 11.1±2.5 MPa in the second, 11.8±3.6 MPa in the third, 21±7.5 MPa in the fourth, 19.4±9 MPa in the sixth, and 14.1±6.7 MPa in the seventh group with no statistically significant differences. However, there was a statistically significant decrease in the mean SBS (8±5.2 MPa) of the fifth group (chlorhexidine before etching) compared to the control group (P=0.04).

The use of fluoride and chlorhexidine can be recommended to orthodontic patients because of antibacterial and anticaries properties and no significant decrease in the SBS of orthodontic brackets (except when chlorhexidine is used before etching).

Pregnancy refers to a physiological process associated with body changes, including changes in the oral cavity. Therefore, dental treatments are an integral part of healthcare for pregnant women. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and practice of dentists in Bandar Abbas, Iran, regarding the required measures during pregnancy in 2018.

The present descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 93 dentists in Bandar Abbas by completing a twenty-item questionnaire about the required measures during pregnancy. Data were analyzed using SPSS16. Chi-square test and t-test were used to statistically analyze the data at the significance level of 0.05.

The mean score of dentistschr('39') knowledge index was 43.86±8.66 (moderate). The level of knowledge was moderate for 59 dentists (63.4%), and only one had a low level of knowledge. In addition, 39 dentists (41.9%) had low, 49 (52.7%) had moderate, and only 5 (5.4%) had a high practice score. None of the demographic factors had a significant relationship with dentistschr('39') knowledge.

Workshops and continuous educational programs are recommended to increase the knowledge of dentists regarding the required measures during pregnancy.

Garlic is present in the diet of most people around the world. Its use as a medicinal plant has been considered since ancient times and has been mentioned in documents obtained from the Egyptians, Greeks, Indians, and ancient Chinese. Garlic is generally known as a plant with antimicrobial, anti-fungal, anti-thrombotic, analgesic, anti-asthmatic, antipyretic, anti-hypertensive, anti-coagulant, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties; many of these properties have been proven by scientific research. The present study reviews the original articles published between 2000 and 2020, which investigated the role of garlic and its active ingredients in the treatment of oral diseases. The reviewed studies were often preliminary but their results reveal that garlic has potential therapeutic effects on oral diseases. These studies have provided promising results that advocate the addition of this plant or its compounds to dental health products. However, more detailed clinical and preclinical studies (at cellular and molecular levels) are needed to clarify the mechanism of action of garlic and its active ingredients, such as allicin.